I think it has become a problem (I'm talking about PROC tourist, not Taiwanese, not Chinese coming out of South East Asia/other countries)... The reason I said this is that if I remember it correctly, it is so bad that the PROC government is issuing an ?official guide? on how to behave abroad

My friend is a tour guide... works around the world, but started in China and, up until about 6 months ago, had lived in China for about 8 years. As far as he tells it, stuff like that is pretty par for the course when it comes to the Chinese culture. The most I've seen in person that I can say consistently is a lack of boundaries, but I've heard enough stories like that from him and others that it is a bit disturbing when it comes to Chinese tourism._________________LakersGround's Terms of Service

My friend is a tour guide... works around the world, but started in China and, up until about 6 months ago, had lived in China for about 8 years. As far as he tells it, stuff like that is pretty par for the course when it comes to the Chinese culture. The most I've seen in person that I can say consistently is a lack of boundaries, but I've heard enough stories like that from him and others that it is a bit disturbing when it comes to Chinese tourism.

Clarify your statement. Are you saying tourists in general are disrespectful to Chinese culture, or are you erroneously implying that it is in the culture of Chinese people to be disrespectful?

My friend is a tour guide... works around the world, but started in China and, up until about 6 months ago, had lived in China for about 8 years. As far as he tells it, stuff like that is pretty par for the course when it comes to the Chinese culture. The most I've seen in person that I can say consistently is a lack of boundaries, but I've heard enough stories like that from him and others that it is a bit disturbing when it comes to Chinese tourism.

Clarify your statement. Are you saying tourists in general are disrespectful to Chinese culture, or are you erroneously implying that it is in the culture of Chinese people to be disrespectful?

Do they have the same disregard for their own national treasures as they do for other countries'?_________________"Suck it up. Don't be a baby. Do your job." - Kobe Bryant

I have pet theory about the root of the problem. What really screwed up the PRC was the Cultural Revolution. For those who were directly touched by it and survived, it almost invariably scarred them for life. For those who were indirectly touched by it, it made them almost willfully stupid, in that the Cultural Revolution glorified ignorance. That includes the current generation, where you have uncultured, nouveau riche parents taking kids on vacation, leading to acts of absent-minded vandalism.

Last, none of us are born with reverence towards cultural and historical treasures, it is something we develop through education. Unfortunately, the curriculum in the PRC is culturally thin, as the motivations are utilitarian and driven by political orthodoxy.

I have pet theory about the root of the problem. What really screwed up the PRC was the Cultural Revolution. For those who were directly touched by it and survived, it almost invariably scarred them for life. For those who were indirectly touched by it, it made them almost willfully stupid, in that the Cultural Revolution glorified ignorance. That includes the current generation, where you have uncultured, nouveau riche parents taking kids on vacation, leading to acts of absent-minded vandalism.

Last, none of us are born with reverence towards cultural and historical treasures, it is something we develop through education. Unfortunately, the curriculum in the PRC is culturally thin, as the motivations are utilitarian and driven by political orthodoxy.

That right there is the cause of most of the problems. Manners and being polite were seen as the bourgeoisie class. Mao really did a number on Mainland Chinese society.